The Best We Can Offer

Sick and Tired

Personal anecdote about irritation at having to repeat oneself

Since last Wednesday, I destroyed a relationship, I caused a Christian to withdraw from the body of Christ, I damaged the reputation of Daniels Bible Church, and I handed Satan a victory on a silver platter. So, how was your week?

A Bride for the Lord

God prepared His people to receive Him on Sinai

Training the people (; ,

Training Moses ()

Setting the bride-price (Ex. 19:5-6)

Cleansed for the wedding ()

In the presence of the groom (; Deut. 4:11-12)

The Point: This was a relationship unlike any other in the history of the world, the people had ample evidence of the faithfulness and love of their God, and they had seen gut-wrenching displays of His power

God spent two years forging the Hebrews into a nation

Teaching the people His statutes

Preparing the Levites to mediate

Constructing His tabernacle (bridal chamber)

Outer curtain wall - 50 cubits (75 ft.) by 100 cubits (150 ft.)

Tent of meeting (holy place) - 10 cubits (15 ft.) by 30 cubits (45 ft.)

Most holy place - 10 cubits (15 ft.) by 10 cubits (15 ft.)

The presence of God (; )

Moses was in close proximity to God when he spoke with Him; approximately 15 feet away ()

The Point: The presence of God among the Israelites was very tangible, it was very visceral, and it was clear and present

Adulterous Hearts

The people complain and the fire of God burns (Num. 11:1)

Teaching the people His statutes

The people cry to Moses, and God stays His hand (Num. 11:2)

Preparing the Levites to mediate

Constructing His tabernacle (bridal chamber)

Outer curtain wall - 50 cubits (75 ft.) by 100 cubits (150 ft.)

Tent of meeting (holy place) - 10 cubits (15 ft.) by 30 cubits (45 ft.)

Most holy place - 10 cubits (15 ft.) by 10 cubits (15 ft.)

The presence of God (; )

The people are influenced to complain again (Num. 11:4-9)

Moses was in close proximity to God when he spoke with Him; approximately 15 feet away ()

The Point: The presence of sin creates an adulterous heart that is never satisfied. Bad influences that are allowed to remain in close proximity exacerbate the problem.

The Audacity of Moses

test 1234

Moses loses his patience with not just the people, but with God (Num. 11:10-15)

Whining about hard work (v.11a)

Creating a straw man (v.11b)

Exaggerating the problem (v.11c)

Repudiating God’s providence (v.12)

Doubting God’s provision (v.13)

Self-obsessed (v.14)

Overly dramatic (v.15)

The Point: The common point of reference throughout Moses’s diatribe is Moses. Focus on yourself long enough and the inevitable result is the usurpation of God’s honor and rightful place of worship.

Ridiculous Patience

Shockingly, God does not rebuke or punish Moses for his impertinence. Instead, He accedes to Moses’s demands. (v.16-20)

Like a spoiled child, Moses does not know when to quit (v.21-22)

The Best We Have is Filth

Scripture describes Moses as the most humble man on earth ()

What is the opposite of humility?

Who or what is pride focused on?

Therefore, was Moses displaying pride or humility here?

The Point: If Moses was the most humble man on earth, yet was still capable of such overweening arrogance and was so self-assured, then that means the most humble among us is still equivalent to a spoiled child. We can offer God nothing in ourselves that is not filth and dung to Him, unless it be through our oneness with Christ.

If we do not give honor to God, then we may wind up with vomit and feces smeared on our faces (Mal. 2:1-3)

“You come of the Lord Adam and the Lady Eve,” said Aslan. “And that is both honor enough to erect the head of the poorest beggar, and shame enough to bow the shoulders of the greatest emperor on earth.”

The Point: Therefore, how much more should we actively seek to mortify our flesh and magnify our God?

The Point: God deserves our most reverent and broken-hearted worship for putting up with our whining, our complaining, our selfishness, and our pride.

If you are a Christian, then expect the discipline of God if you follow the path that Moses and the Israelites went down ()

All the people of that generation died in the wilderness ()

Moses was punished for his disobedience by not being allowed to cross into the promised land ()

Even after pleading with God, this privilege was still refused him (Deut. 3:23-27)

If you are not a Christian, then expect an eternity of torment for your continued refusal to give God His due, bend your knee to Him, and surrender your life to Him ()